WE are often reminded that the nation's population is an ageing one as people live longer.

They say life begins at forty but Coun Charles Warkman is living proof that an awful lot can still be done when you are more than twice that age.

The Ribble Valley's newest mayor has only been involved in local affairs since he moved to the area following retirement - but that's more than 20 years ago.

Now Coun Warkman has taken on the role of the district's civic head at the age of 86 and his example shows that age need be no barrier to achievement.

As life expectancy increases, people who over the "normal retirement age" are notching up achievements in all kinds of spheres including further and higher education, sport, leisure pursuits and business.

At one time, becoming eligible to collect a pension was seen by some as marking the end of an ability to make a useful contribution to the community.

Today, all over the Western world, grey power is an economic and political force to be reckoned with although many of this country's pensioners would argue forcibly that they do not get a fair financial deal.

Coun Warkman quotes the saying: "Growing old is obligatory but feeling old is discretionary."

In other words, with growing old, and many other things in life, it's your attitude that's important.